Rein-holder



(No Model.)

R. B. FOWZER.

REIN HOLDER.

.No. 591,834. Patented Oct. 19,1897.

mawboz ami/ meow UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT E. FOWZER, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA.

RElN-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,834, dated October 19, 1897.

Application filed May 25, 1897. Serial No. 638,119. (No model).

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT B. FOWZER, of Butler, in the county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rein-Holders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to rein-holders; and it consists of a coiled spring adapted to be applied to a dashboard or other front portion of a vehicle, and having in connection therewith a keeper, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple device for holding reins in proper position in connection with a dashboard or other part of a vehicle in such manner as to prevent them from being displaced and thrown down by the movements of the animal or by other causes.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rein-holder shown applied in operative position and embodying the invention. Fig. 2 isa detail perspective view of the rein-holder on an enlarged scale and shown disconnected.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral 1 designates a coiled spring which is secured to a supporting-plate 2. The latter is placed against the dashboard so as to position the spring 1 on the inner side thereof, and against the outer side of said dashboard aholding-plate 3 is positioned, said plates having openings in the opposite ends thereof which are arranged in alinement and with other openings in the dashboard through which are inserted fastening devices for securing the parts in connection with the said dashboard. The fastenings whichsecure the said plates 2 and 3 are extended into knobs 4, projecting from the supporting-plate on opposite sides of the coiled spring 1 and extending outwardly at such a distance as to form guards at opposite ends of the spring and thereby hold the latter in proper position. Movably attached to one of the end coils of the spring 1 is the looped end of a keeper 5, having an inwardly-extending nose 6 and an outer grip 7 at its free end. I The function of this keeper is to hold the coils clamped against the reins when the latter are placed in the spring, as shown in Fig. 1, and thereby serve as an auxiliary in firmly holding the reins against disengagement from the said spring. It will be understood that the spring 1 may be arranged horizontally, vertically, or in any position on the dashboard, and in operation the lines are placed between the coils of the spring and the keeper 5 locked by having the nose 6 thereof engage the end of the spring opposite to that to which it is attached. This engagement of the keeper with the spring contracts the coils of the latter and secures a close impingement of the same on the reins.

It will be understood that the device set forth may be suitably ornamented and plated and its dimensions varied to accommodate different uses.

It is obviously apparent that many minor changes in the construction and arrangement of the several parts might be made and substituted for those shown and described without in the least departing from the nature or spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is-= In a rein-holder, the combination of a'supporting-plate, a coiled spring carried thereby,

knobs extending outwardly from the said sup- I porting-plate on opposite ends of the spring, and a keeper attached to one end of said spring having a nose to engage the opposite end, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribin g witnesses.

ROBERT B. FOVVZER.

Witnesses:

BERNIoE MEALs, J UNE RINEWALT. 

